UNIVERSITY of GLASGOW

System Number: 11098
Date: [1/7 November 1886?]^[1]
Author: JW
Place: London
Recipient: Alfred Stevens^[2]
Place: [Paris]
Repository: Brandeis University Libraries, Waltham, MA
Call Number: Robert D. Farber University Archives and Special Collections Department; Judaica Department
Document Type: ALS

BEEFSTEAK CLUB,
KING WILLIAM STREET,
STRAND, W.C.

J'ai été absent mon cher Stevens et ce n'est que maintenant que je viens de lire votre charmante reponse^[3] [sic] - Eh bien mon ami voiçi l'affaire - Envoyez nous, pour la fin du mois, plutôt quatre ou cinq petits tableaux^[4] que trois - et retenez les deux [p. 2] pastels^[5] pour l'exposition du mois de Mai -

Voilà mon avis - l'Exposition du printemps c'est la grande affaire de l'année - et nous arrangerons tous cela ensemble apres votre visite - car vous viendrez pour la "Vue Privée" - le 25 - Novembre - n'est ce pas? -

Quant au reste - certainement [p. 3] il faut que nous ayons tous vos titres - car nous sommes tres fiers de notre confrère celèbre! -

Ajoutez les prix - sans doute - c'est parfaitement attendu -

et pour l'envoi, vous ferez bien d'expedier les caisses à Messrs. Dowdeswells & Sons.^[6]
169. New Bond Street
London -

mais je crains que les frais [p. 4] de l'envoi seront à votre charge -

Si je pense arriver à trouver deux jours à ma disposition je viendrai vous [...] a Paris - Mais j'ai tant de choses à diriger! - et si peu de temps -

Enfin pas de Raffaelli^[7]!!! - ça c'est entendu!

Et maintenant mon tres cher ami tout à vous

Whistler

Vous savez j'ai bien [p. 1] des choses à vous dire a propos de Bruxelles^[8] où j'ai été dernièrement -

This document is protected by copyright.

Translation:

BEEFSTEAK CLUB,

KING WILLIAM STREET,
STRAND, W.C.

I have been away my dear Stevens and it is only now that I have just read your charming reply - Well my friend this is what it is about - Send us, for the end of the month, four or five small paintings rather than three - and keep the two [p. 2] pastels for the exhibition in the month of May -

This is my advice - the spring Exhibition is the great occasion of the year - and we will arrange all that together after your visit - because you will come for the "Private View" - November 25th - won't you?

As for the rest - certainly [p. 3] we must have all your titles - because we are very proud of our celebrated fellow artist! -

Add the fee - of course - it is entirely acceptable -

And for the address, have the boxes sent to Messrs. Dowdeswell & Sons.
169 New Bond Street
London

but I fear you will have to bear the [p. 4] costs of carriage.

If I think I can find two days at my disposal I shall come to [...] you in Paris - But I have so much to organise! - and so little time -

Lastly no Raffaelli!!! - that is understood!

And now my dear friend my best regards

Whistler

You know I have many [p. 1] things to tell you about Brussels where I was recently -

Notes:

1.  [1/7 November 1886?]
Dated by reference to a private view on 25 November (see below).

2.  Alfred Stevens
Alfred Émile-Léopold Stevens (1823-1906), history and portrait painter [more].

3.  votre charmante reponse
Stevens' letter has not been located

4.  cinq petits tableaux
Winter Exhibition, Society of British Artists, London, 1886-1887, which opened on 25 November 1886.

5.  deux [p. 2] pastels
64th Annual Exhibition, Royal Society of British Artists, London, 1887. Stevens was elected a member of the SBA in 1887.

6.  Messrs. Dowdeswells & Sons.
Art dealers and publishers; JW had recently held a one-man exhibition, 'Notes' - 'Harmonies' - 'Nocturnes', Second Series, Messrs Dowdeswell, London, 1886.

7.  Raffaelli
Jean François Raffaëlli (1850-1924), artist [more]. In technique and approach, his elegant portraits of fashionable women provided serious competition to both Stevens and Whistler.

8.  Bruxelles
Stevens had studied in Brussels. JW had exhibited at [Exposition], Société des XX (Vingts), Brussels, 1886. He also visited Belgium in the Autumn of 1887.